"Law & Order" Episode Invokes Trayvon Martin Case

3 years ago

More details are surfacing about the upcoming "Law & Order: SVU" episode inspired by the shooting of Florida teen Trayvon Martin. Reports now say the episode will also include elements of another real-life controversy - the racially-charged scandal involving celebrity chef Paula Deen. Insiders tells TheWrap.com Cybill Shepherd will play a character that appears to be a cross-composite of Deen and George Zimmerman, the neighborhood watch volunteer who shot and killed Martin. Shepherd's character will reportedly claim self-defense after shooting an unarmed hoodie-wearing teenager she believes is following her.

Zimmerman was controversially acquitted at trial earlier this year. Deen saw her cooking empire crumble after her admitted use of the N-word in a court deposition. The "Law & Order: SVU" episode is scheduled to air in October.